Box Score
Pine Valley, NY – The Elmira College Field Hockey played a great home contest downing Houghton College 2-1 Saturday afternoon at the Murray Athletic Center. The win improves the Soaring Eagles to 3-4 overall and 2-2 in Empire 8 play, while the loss drops the Highlanders to 5-2 overall and an equal 2-2 in conference competition.
Houghton's level of play was equally matched by EC as they capitalized on Houghton's mistakes and made their opportunities on goal count. The beginning of the game saw back-and-forth possession in the midfield as the Soaring Eagles vied for a chance to shoot on goal. Although Houghton outshot Elmira 10-7,
Sarah Harden-Marshall '14 (Marathon, NY -- Marathon) took advantage of a scramble at the goalies pads from a pass by
Ashley Palmer '14 (Verona, NY -- Verona-Verona-Sherrill) to help them secure a 1-0 lead at the end of the first half. The Highlanders attempted to respond in the last five minutes of the first period, but were stopped by an impressive defense and ended the period at 1-0.
After half-time, Houghton came out strong and possessed the ball for much of the beginning of the period. Finally, Elmira gained control of the ball and pressured the goalie with four penalty corners compared to one for the Highlanders. In the 55th minute
Palmer shot the ball from the middle of the circle and hit the back of the right corner of the goal to make the score 2-0. Houghton fought back and scored on their only corner of the second half as Ashley Engle assisted Maesa Phongsamouth for the Highlanders only goal of the game.
Erin Duffy '14 (Nashua, NY -- Nashua), Caitlin Sickau '16 (Eden, NY -- Eden) and
Shannon Nelligan '14 (Poughquag, NY – Canterbury) played a fantastic defensive contest, combining for a total of five defensive saves compared to zero defensive saves for the Highlanders.
Lauren Thomas '14 (Marshfield, MA -- Marshfield) made four saves in net for Elmira, while Hillery Duman stopped one shot for Houghton.
The EC Field Hockey team travels to take on Wells College in non-conference action Monday beginning at 4:00 p.m.
